restaurants | MURPH..Just Saying.

My brother in law, Murray, called and suggested we meet for dinner. Good idea. Lets try someplace we haven’t been for a while. So last night we dined at the SHADY REST in Qualicum Beach.

Our last visit to the SHADY was at least 2 years ago before the ownership changed and the joint had a refit. Well, we are happy to say that the SHADY REST has improved.

The SHADY has only been around for over 100 years, the oldest business in Qualicum. It’s double sided. Pub side and restaurant side. We chose the latter which has been nicely redecorated. Especially cool are all the large historic black & white photographs on the walls. Of course, the waterfront view is simply spectacular!

It was busy on a Saturday night so we were wise to have made a reservation. Seated at a window table with the view, we were greeted by Catherine, our server, who was great. Friendly, charming and efficient. Fun too.

Sheila chose the Beef Short Rib which came with the best garlic mashed potatoes. Murray and I both opted for the special. Roast Prime Rib which included the garlic mashed and a Yorkshire. It was a very generous and delicious serving.

The desserts looked good so two Creme Brûlées arrived quickly. The presentation was fabulous. My phone was dead so no photo. Too bad. But here is one of the desserts.

We were all very impressed with the SHADY REST’S new look and menu and we will be back for more.

Check out their menu here.

https://shadyrest.ca/files/documents/e9ccb9bd-e107-4342-82ef-0d5f3f88c7db.pdf

If you have never been to the Shady Rest it’s right on the water in Qualicum Beach. Lots of free parking. 📞 for reservations at 250-752-9111. Open daily from 11:00 AM.

Great place to take your summer visitors. They might even see a cruise ship or whales.

Just saying…

In Nanaimo today doing a few errands and before heading home lunch seemed a perfect idea. Let’s go the the Lantzville Pub. No, we said, let’s try something new. So the Acura found its way to PIPER’s on Hammond Bay Road. Pipers has been around since the 70’s but was reopened under new ownership a year ago. Apparently it is owned by the same Korean folks that operate the POKE PAGE restaurants in our area.

We arrived after the lunch rush and chose a table on the sunny patio. Our server delivered our choice of Pinot Grigio while we perused the menu. Very interesting. Pub food with an Asian twist. A lot of things sounded good including the brunch menu which they serve everyday until 2.

Sheila spotted the OYSTER PARTY, and it was quite a party. 5 oysters baked in the shell in a delicious spinach sauce served with an unusual side salad and toast. My choice was the Korean Chicken Lettuce Wrap. It was a very generous serving of simply delicious chicken pieces with two sauces and a half a lettuce. Different than the lettuce wrap at the Cactus Club, a dish I love, but equally as good.

THE PIPER’S has their own, in house, pastry department and produce a variety of pastry deliciousness. Biscotti, scones, double Oreo cookies and others including our choice, the Creamy Brulee Tart. Fluffy puff pastry with a fabulous Brulee custard. We each had one. Because sometimes one must! There will Definitely be no dinner at home tonight. But we do have Blueberry & Cranberry Scones for breakfast tomorrow as we liberated several from the Pastry Display Case.

We would like to go back and test the Brunch Menu. An Egg Benny Croissant! Or a west coaster, poached eggs atop a shrimp cake with Aioli, Sriracha and Hollandaise. Take a look at some of the other Brunch options below.

The service was excellent and prompt. One young server was most helpful in providing the history of Pipers. He was charming and efficient too. The patio is nice and the interior is quite charming with a huge bar.

PIPERS is at 4700 Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo not far from Woodgrove Mall.

Check out their website. https://www.pipersnanaimo.com

Try it. I think you will enjoy the food.

Just saying…